Two players appear to be battling for the starting quarterback job at Pine Tree during the second week of spring football drills.
Matt Hamer, who will be a junior, and Alton Horton, a senior-to-be who saw time in a two-quarterback system last season, are the frontrunners under center. Junior-to-be Tyler Kids, who started the 2007 season at safety, is another possibility, but Pine Tree coach Tim Russell said Kids has played quite a bit at receiver lately.
"Matt and Alton are so close," Russell said. "If we started the season today, they'd both get playing time.
"Alton has more speed and elusiveness. He can do more stuff with his feet. Matt right now does the little things a little better. He checks us in and out of good plays. He commands the formation and plays, and Alton makes the more dynamic plays. I think we could be successful with either one at quarterback."
The quarterback situation is only one position battle for Pine Tree in a spring practice that includes more than 70 varsity players. The Pirates will practice during their 11:30 a.m. athletic period each day the rest of the week, and will hold after-school practice today and Thursday. Friday's 11:30 session will be a scrimmage. There won't be after-school practice Friday.
Russell said he was disappointed in the lack of intensity in last Friday's scrimmage, but that Monday's practice, which he called one of the best ever, made up for it. Russell is, however, anxious to see improvement in one particular area.
"I've been disappointed a little bit in our defensive end play. We're moving some guys around there, (but) besides that, I haven't been disappointed in anything," Russell said.
"We have a lot more players that are better than what we had in the past, and just trying to get them in the right spots is the most frustrating thing right now because I'd like to have everything settled. I'm by nature a little impatient, and I know it's going to take some time."
The interior of the defensive line has not disappointed. Senior-to-be LaRoyce Johnson, a powerlifting state qualifier, and junior-to-be Steven Hawkins have been impressive as expected, but Russell said senior-to-be Ryan Wallace has jumped onto the scene.
"He has really stepped up and done a good job," Russell said.
Wallace played his entire junior season on junior varsity, playing every down of the year as a two-way player. Russell said the experience of playing JV last season is a major reason why Wallace is standing out now.
Pine Tree's spring game is scheduled for Thursday, May 22. The JV game starts at 6 p.m., with varsity following.
